I had my first job at Oracle in 1997. Oracle had the best Gym in the area. I started to use it as a way against the work pressure while improving my fitness.

I went on the bike path just outside the company for a run. Don't laugh at me, but I was able to run only 10 minutes. I found a group of runners (called Thuesday Runners) who also worked in Oracle. I joined them, but had to turn around after 10 minutes or so. Since then, I ran every day and kept a running log. In a few weeks, I was able to run 45 minutes. Then I reached one hour of running. After some time, I was able to run to San Mateo Bridge and back. This landmark used to be a remote artificial to me. This was 10 mile running. In a year, I ran my first half marathon. This was my running 10 years ago!

2. What is your best and worst race experience?

I love running and I really don't have bad experience. I do have DNF (Did Not Finish) and DNS (Did Not Start), even am proud of being in DNH (Did not Happen) for the prestigious Western States 100M this year (See Jean PommierWestern States 2008: DNH like... Did Not Happen), but I still enjoyed every second I was in any run. Almost every run was my best experience no matter if I had best performance or not. For example, I suffered in Cascade Crest Classic 100M and Wasatch Front 100M, but I somehow enjoyed them and love to do them every year even my time were not good enough (had 9 min to spare as an official Wasatch finisher last year).

I did not plan to run it at the end of the calendar year in 2006. I thought I entered the rest period. However, I was notified (Thanks Mark Tanaka - Utrailnaka) that I'd better run it in order to win the FeltBelt Ultrarunner.net Age Division. It was quite an honor, but I had to persuade my family to go with me as a family trip. I also found out the competition will be tough for me with the veteran Jack Meyer not far behind in scores. The course is actually an out-and-back 27 mile bike path of American River 50M, which is not my favorable surface to run. At the end, I ran faster than Jack Meyer and won the place. This was always a nice reward and honor.

I think I normally have no best experience if I can not find a lot of motivation in it.

3. Why do you run?

In the beginning, running was a way to go outside of my work space for a while. As I kept doing it, I found more and more improvement in my fitness as the reward. I set up confidence in myself. This was a joy coming all the way when I explored myself. The exploration began in my physical fitness, but became more on the mental strength. Dawn Infernal Bean said something in the film A Race for the Soul like that if she can run a 100 miles, there is nothing to worry when in bad situations.

Plus I am proud and glad to know a lot of friends at the trails. They are the best persons I've ever known. I can figure out that running requires the best performance of a person, so called dig deep, while presents the best personality of a person.

This always broadens my sight and helps me see things positive. There is no help to be negative.

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.

Would rather be running in a swimming trunk

I guess it would be in the Old Dominion 100M this year. It was so hot and humid that all my anti-chafing tricks failed. It was usual that I had to tape my nipples. However, I also had to taped my inner thighs as the never-failed Vaseline I applied earlier were all gone from heavy sweating. There was already a hot spot of 3 inches in diameter. The industrial tape could no longer attach to it due to the sweating. I had to run with my short rolled up to avoid the rub on my thighs. I wished I had run with a swimming suit. I thought I looked pretty awkward so that I let go when approaching a female or an aid station.

Time to pass the baton, but I guess it's too late - every blogger seems to have been tagged. I'll find someone in the mean time :-)

6 comments:

It's so good to read your blog. Thanks for your insights on running. I wish you juggled the questions around a bit, though, so we weren't left with finishing thoughts about your thighs :) (although, boy, do I know how you feel)

I have these shorts that have a compression short underneath. I wore them once when after forgetting to lube or bring lube and it actually helped a lot. The only problem is that they don't have the back pockets like Race Ready shorts.

To the defence of the person who gave you the worst advice, perhaps they were speaking from their own experience and meant well. i too dole out loads of knee advice to runners at every possible opportunity now-a-days. It comes more out of concern than jealousy i hope :-)

Family Vacation at WS100 DNH

About Me

I was born and educated in Taipei, Taiwan (台灣台北). I had never thought about running. After thirty more years, I picked up running when I started to work and raise my family in USA. I was able to run a few marathons for the first six years. It was when I challenged myself with a 50K trail run, I fell in love with ultra/trail-running. After a few 50K, 50M, and 100K within two years, I won my age division in Fuelbelt Ultrarunner.net Race Series in 2006. I was the 2nd place age division in PA USATF Ultra GrandPrix in 2007. Other time, I enjoy staying with my family and reading literature. Thanks for visiting my blog and I think I'll learn something from your comments. 謝謝留言分享

Michael Kanning Ultra For a Cure

Michael Kanning was a 15 year old ultrailrunner when he became the youngest person ever to complete a 100 miler by finishing Rio Del Lago 100M in 2007. Help him fund cancer research through his Ultra For a Cure effort. Click here to donate. Also help track the progress by writing your donated amount to ultraforacure@yahoo.com. Thanks!